1 Samuel 23:14-29

1 Samuel 23:14-29

[14] And David  abode  in the wilderness  in strong holds,  and remained  in a mountain  in the wilderness  of Ziph.  And Saul  sought  him every day,  but God  delivered  him not into his hand.  [15] And David  saw  that Saul  was come out  to seek  his life:  and David  was in the wilderness  of Ziph  in a wood.  [16] And Jonathan  Saul's  son  arose,  to David  into the wood,  and strengthened  his hand  in God.  [17] And he said  unto him, Fear  not: for the hand  of Saul  my father  shall not find  thee; and thou shalt be king  over Israel,  and I shall be next  unto thee; and that also Saul  my father  knoweth.  [18] And they two  made  a covenant  before  the LORD:  and David  abode  in the wood,  and Jonathan  went  to his house.  [19] Then came up  the Ziphites  to Saul  to Gibeah,  saying,  Doth not David  hide  himself with us in strong holds  in the wood,  in the hill  of Hachilah,  which is on the south  of Jeshimon?  [20] Now therefore, O king,  come down  according to all the desire  of thy soul  to come down;  and our part shall be to deliver  him into the king's  hand.  [21] And Saul  said,  Blessed  be ye of the LORD;  for ye have compassion  [22] I pray you, prepare  yet, and know  and see  his place  where his haunt  is, and who hath seen  him there: for it is told  me that he dealeth very  [23] See  therefore, and take knowledge  of all the lurking places  where he hideth  himself, and come ye again  to me with the certainty,  and I will go  with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be  in the land,  that I will search  him out throughout all the thousands  of Judah.  [24] And they arose,  to Ziph  before  Saul:  but David  were in the wilderness  of Maon,  in the plain  on the south  of Jeshimon.  [25] Saul  to seek  him. And they told  David:  wherefore he came down  into a rock,  and abode  in the wilderness  of Maon.  And when Saul  heard  that, he pursued  after  David  in the wilderness  of Maon.  [26] And Saul  on this side  of the mountain,  and David  on that side  of the mountain:  and David  made haste  for fear  of Saul;  David  round about  to take  [27] But there came  a messenger  unto Saul,  saying,  Haste  for the Philistines  have invaded  the land.  [28] Wherefore Saul  returned  from pursuing  after  David,  the Philistines:  therefore they called  that place  Selahammahlekoth.  [29] And David  went up  from thence, and dwelt  in strong holds  at Engedi.